The 1940 Buick 60 Century sits in an interesting prewar Buick sweet spot, combining upscale Buick presence with the stronger, longer-wheelbase character that made the Century line especially appealing to touring-minded owners. Tire choice on this car starts with one primary fitment, a 700-15 bias-ply tire on a 15-inch rim, which keeps the look and stance in step with the period. Within that size, there is still meaningful choice, including blackwall and wide whitewall presentations, along with Firestone, BFGoodrich, and STA offerings across several series. For a restoration-oriented Buick or a road-ready driver, the real task is matching the correct size to the intended appearance and use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1940 Buick 60 Century
The 1940 Buick 60 Century uses one primary tire size: 700-15. It is a bias-ply fitment built for a 15-inch rim, and the same size carries across the covered 8-cylinder sub-model. That means the main decision is not between multiple primary sizes, but between period-style appearance choices, tire series, and whether the tire will serve a restoration-focused car or a vehicle expected to see more regular road use.
A 700-15 tire uses the vintage numeric bias-ply sizing system, where the 700 designates an approximate 7.00-inch nominal section width and the 15 identifies a 15-inch wheel diameter. On the 1940 Buick 60 Century, this is the primary prewar-style bias-ply fitment and it preserves the traditional look and road character expected from the period. Available choices include Firestone, BFGoodrich, and STA products, with blackwall and wide whitewall options as well as several series aimed at different visual or utility priorities. The key is choosing the version of 700-15 that matches the Buick's intended appearance, wheel setup, and driving use.
Sub-model fitment is straightforward for the 1940 Buick 60 Century covered here. The listed 8-cylinder configuration uses the same 700-15 bias-ply tire, so the focus stays on selecting the right style and tire series rather than sorting through different primary sizes.
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1940 Buick 60 Century 8 Cyl.
The 1940 Buick 60 Century 8 Cyl. uses the same 700-15 bias-ply fitment found across this coverage. That keeps tire selection centered on appearance and use, such as choosing between a traditional blackwall, a wide whitewall for a fuller prewar presentation, or a heavier-duty series where that suits the car's actual setup.
The tire sizes listed on this page assume factory-standard vehicle configuration. The following modifications may affect tire fitment and are not reflected in this guide:
Suspension changes (lowering, lift kits, spring replacements)
Body alterations (fender modifications, custom bodywork)
If your vehicle has been modified from factory specifications, verify tire clearance before purchase.
Best 1940 Buick 60 Century Tires for Sale
Available 700-15 choices for the 1940 Buick 60 Century include Firestone, BFGoodrich, and STA bias-ply tires across several series. The product grid is where to compare blackwall versus wide whitewall appearance, standard passenger-style options, and heavier-duty military or transport-oriented versions built around the same basic size.
Owners of a 1940 Buick 60 Century usually want clear answers on 700-15 fitment, 15-inch rim compatibility, sidewall and brand choices, and what to inspect before putting a prewar Buick back on the road.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1940 Buick 60 Century?
The 1940 Buick 60 Century uses a 700-15 tire size. This is a vintage numeric bias-ply fitment, and it is the primary size associated with the covered vehicle and its listed 8-cylinder sub-model.
That makes the next decision less about size and more about choosing the right version of 700-15 for the car's intended look and use. A buyer should still confirm that the Buick has the expected 15-inch wheels in place, especially if the car has been restored, modified, or sitting on replacement wheels from another period.
What size rim does a 1940 Buick 60 Century use?
The 1940 Buick 60 Century uses a 15-inch rim with its 700-15 tire fitment. Product options in this size commonly pair with rim widths in the 5.00- to 5.50-inch range where that specification is stated.
Rim diameter is the first thing to verify before selecting tires, because a 15-inch tire must match a 15-inch wheel. On an older Buick, it is also smart to inspect the actual wheel width, bead condition, and overall wheel integrity before mounting new tires, particularly if the car has original steel wheels or long-stored replacement rims.
What does 700-15 mean on a 1940 Buick 60 Century?
In the 700-15 size, the 700 is the nominal section-width designation in the older numeric bias-ply system, and the 15 refers to the wheel diameter in inches. It is a traditional vintage sizing format rather than a modern metric radial size.
Understanding that format helps prevent mix-ups when comparing prewar tires with later sizing systems. For a 1940 Buick 60 Century, the important point is that 700-15 identifies both the vintage sizing style and the 15-inch wheel requirement, so any replacement should be evaluated around the same basic size, wheel compatibility, and vehicle clearance.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 700-15 tire for a 1940 Buick 60 Century?
Start with the correct primary size, which is 700-15, and then compare the tire's intended character. Some options are traditional passenger-style bias-ply tires with blackwall or wide whitewall presentation, while others in the same size lean toward military or transport-oriented use.
A restoration-minded Buick owner may focus first on period-style appearance, while a driver may place more weight on tire series, load figures where stated, and wheel-width compatibility. It also helps to think about how the car is actually used, because a show car, occasional tour car, and utility-oriented vehicle can all point toward different 700-15 choices.
What sidewall styles are available for 1940 Buick 60 Century tires?
The 700-15 tire options for the 1940 Buick 60 Century include both blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall styles. That gives the car owner a clear visual choice even while staying within the correct primary tire size.
A blackwall usually creates a more restrained, functional presentation, while a wide whitewall brings a fuller prewar luxury look that many Buick owners want on a restoration-oriented car. Since sidewall style changes appearance much more than fitment, the main thing to confirm is still the correct size and wheel setup before deciding which presentation suits the vehicle best.
What brands offer tires for the 1940 Buick 60 Century?
The 1940 Buick 60 Century has 700-15 tire options from Firestone, BFGoodrich, and STA. Those choices span several series, including traditional passenger-style bias-ply designs as well as military and transport-oriented offerings in the same size.
Brand alone should not be the only filter. It makes more sense to compare the tire's series, sidewall treatment, load information where available, and whether the tire's overall character suits a prewar Buick sedan used for restoration display, occasional driving, or a more utility-oriented setup.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1940 Buick 60 Century?
A period-style 1940 Buick 60 Century should begin with the correct primary size, 700-15, in bias-ply construction. Within that size, traditional passenger-style bias-ply options are the natural starting point for keeping the car visually and historically aligned with its prewar character.
The final choice depends on how authentic or expressive the restoration needs to be. A wide whitewall can create a richer prewar presentation, while a blackwall gives a simpler look. When exact originality matters, the safest path is to compare surviving vehicle photos, marque-club guidance, and period documentation before settling on brand or sidewall treatment.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1940 Buick 60 Century restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters a great deal on a 1940 Buick 60 Century because tire size and construction shape the car's stance, visual balance, and overall period impression. Staying with the 700-15 bias-ply format keeps the tire presentation in line with what buyers expect to see on a prewar Buick.
Fitment also affects practical details beyond appearance. A tire that matches the proper wheel diameter and suitable wheel width helps avoid preventable mounting and clearance issues. On a restoration, getting the tire right is one of the finishing details that can either support the car's character or make the whole vehicle look visually out of step.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1940 Buick 60 Century?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1940 Buick 60 Century even when the intended tire size remains 700-15. Changes to wheel width, replacement wheels, suspension height, brake components, or body clearance can all alter how a tire sits and behaves on the car.
That is why an older Buick should be checked as it exists today, not only as it may have left the factory. A car with aftermarket wheels, altered springs, or non-original front-end parts may need closer measurement of wheel diameter, wheel width, steering clearance, and fender space before any 700-15 tire is selected.
What should I inspect before driving a 1940 Buick 60 Century on new tires?
Before driving a 1940 Buick 60 Century on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems or tubes as applicable, lug hardware, and the condition of the suspension and steering components. Tire pressure should also be set correctly, and the tires themselves should be checked for proper seating and any immediate air loss.
A prewar car that has spent long periods parked deserves an especially careful once-over. Brake performance, wheel-bearing condition, and alignment can all influence how new tires feel on the road. It is also wise to drive the car gently at first and recheck pressure, wheel attachment, and visible clearance after the initial miles.
How should 700-15 tires on a collector 1940 Buick 60 Century be maintained?
700-15 tires on a collector 1940 Buick 60 Century should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspection of the tread and sidewalls, and periodic review for cracking, bulges, cuts, or slow air loss. Low-mileage collector use does not stop tires from aging.
Storage conditions matter almost as much as driving habits on a prewar Buick. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires over time. It also helps to move the vehicle occasionally, maintain proper inflation, and inspect the tires before any longer outing rather than assuming they are ready because the tread still looks good.
